Electrolytic cell including cathode busbar structure, cathode fingers, and anode base

ABSTRACT

A novel electrolytic cell comprising a novel cathode busbar structure, novel cathode fingers and a novel anode base structure which enable the novel electrolytic cell to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell at high current capacities of about 150,000 amperes and upward to about 200,000 amperes while maintaining high operating efficiencies. These high current capacities provide for high production capacities which result in high production rates for given cell room floor areas and reduce capital investment and operating costs.

United States Patent Ruthel et al.

[ 1 Jan. 7, 1975 [54] ELECTROLYTIC CELL INCLUDING CATHODE BUSBARSTRUCTURE, CATHODE FINGERS, AND ANODE BASE Inventors: Walter W. Ruthel,Grand Island;

Lee G. Evans, Tonawanda, both of NY.

Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corp., Niagara Falls, NY.

Filed: Jan. 3, 1974 Appl. No.: 430,427

[73] Assignee:

US. Cl 204/278, 204/242, 204/252, 204/266, 204/279, 204/283, 204/284,204/286 Int. Cl 801k 3/00 Field of Search 204/242, 252, 258, 266,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Emery et al. 204/266 X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,125,493 8/1968 Great Britain 204/266 PrimaryExaminer-John H. Mack Assistant ExaminerW. l. Solomon Attorney, Agent,or FirmPeter F. Casella; David L. Johnson [57] ABSTRACT A novelelectrolytic cell comprising a novel cathode busbar structure, novelcathode fingers and a novel anode base structure which enable the novelelectrolytic cell to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragmcell at high current capacities of about 150,000 amperes and upward toabout 200,000 amperes while maintaining high operating efficiencies.These high current capacities provide for high production capacitieswhich result in high production rates for given cell room floor areasand reduce capital investment and operating costs.

33 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENIED 3,859,196

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PATENTED 3,859,186

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PATENTED JAN 71975 SHEET 110F121 wmi NE E

PATENTEDJAN 191s SHEET IZUF '82 Ill NE E.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL INCLUDING CATHODE BUSBAR STRUCTURE, CATHODE FINGERS,AND ANODE BASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toelectrolytic cells suited for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions.More particularly, this invention relates to electrolytic cells suitedfor the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions.

Electrolytic cells have been used extensively for many years for theproduction of chlorine, chlorates, chlorites, hydrochloric acid,caustic, hydrogen and other related chemicals. Over the years, suchcells have been developed to a degree whereby high operatingefficiencies have been obtained, based on the electricity expended.Operating efficiencies include current, decomposition, energy, power andvoltage efficiencies. The most recent developments in electrolytic cellshave been in making improvements for increasing the productioncapacities of the individual cells while maintaining high operatingefficiencies. This has been done to a large extent by modifying orredesigning the individual cells and increasing the current capacitiesat which the individual cells operate. The increased productioncapacities of the individual cells operating at higher currentcapacities provide higher production rates for given cell room floorareas and reduce capital investment and operating costs.

In general, the most recent developments in electrolytic cells have beentowards larger cells which have high production capacities and which aredesigned to operate at high current capacities while maintaining highoperating efficiencies. Within certain operating parameters, the higherthe current capacity at which a cell is designed to operate, the higheris the production capacity of the cell. As the designed current capacityof a cell is increased, however, it is important that high operatingefficiencies be maintained. Mere enlargement of the component parts of acell designed to operate at low current capacity will not provide a cellwhich can be operated at high current capacity and still maintain highoperating efficiencies. Numerous design improvements must beincorporated into a high current capacity cell so that high operatingefficiencies can be maintained and high production capacity can beprovided.

The electrolytic cell of the present invention may be adapted to be usedas different types of electrolytic cells of which chlor-alkali cells areof primary importance. The electrolytic cell of the present inventionwill be described more particularly with respect to chloralkali cellsand most particularly with respect to chloralkali diaphragm cells.However, such descriptions are not to be understood as limiting theusefulness of the electrolytic cell of the present invention withrespect to other types of electrolytic cells.

In the early prior art, chlor-alkali diaphragm cells were designed tooperate at relatively low current capacities of about 10,000 amperes orless and had correspondingly low production capacities. Typical of suchcells is the Hooker Type S Cell, developed by the Hooker ChemicalCorporation, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.A., which was a majorbreakthrough in the electrochemical art at its time of development andinitial use. The Hooker Type S Cell was subsequently improved by Hookerina series of Type 8 cells such as the Type S-3, S-3A, S-3B, S-3C, S-3Dand 8-4, whereby the improved cells were designed to operate atprogressively higher current capacities of about 15,000, 20,000, 25,000,30,000, 40,000 and upward to about 55,000 amperes with correspondinglyhigher production capacities. The design and performing of these HookerType S cells are discussed in Shreve, Chemical Process Industries, ThirdEdition, Pg. 233 (1967), McGraw-Hill; Mantel], IndustrialElectrochemistry, Third Edition, Pg. 434 (1950), McGraw-Hill; andSconce, Chlorine, Its Manufacture, Properties and Uses, A.C.S.Monograph, Pp. 94-97 (1962), Reinhold. US. Pat. No. 2,987,463 by Bakeret al. issued June 6, 1961 to Diamond Alkali discloses a chloro-alkalidiaphragm cell designed to operate at a current capacity of about 30,000amperes which is somewhat different than the Hooker Type S series cells.U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,464,912 by Emery et al. issued Sept. 2, 1969 to Hooker,3,493,487 by Ruthel et al. issued Feb. 3, 1970 Hooker and US. Pat. No.3,617,461 by Currey et al. issued NOV. 2, 1971 to Hooker disclosechlor-alkali diaphragm cells designed to operate at a current capacityof about 60,000 amperes.

The above description of the prior art shows the development ofchlor-alkali diaphragm cell design to provide cells which operate athigher current capacities with correspondingly higher productioncapacities. Chlor-alkali diaphragm cells have now been developed whichoperate at high current capacities of about 150,000 amperes and upwardto about 200,000 amperes with correspondingly higher productioncapacities while maintaining high operating efficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided a novel electrolytic cell. The novel electrolytic cellcomprises a novel cathode busbar structure, novel cathode fingers havinga novel cathode finger structure, and a novel anode base structure.

The novel cathode busbar structure comprises at least one lead-in busbarand a plurality of busbar strips which have different relativedimensions. The lead-in busbar or busbars and the plurality of busbarstrips are fabricated from a highly conductive metal and are positionedin such a configuration wherein the lead-in busbar or busbars and theplurality of busbar strips are adapted to carry an electric current andto maintain a substantially uniform current density through the cathodebusbar structure from electrical contact points adjacent to the cathodefingers without any significant voltage drop across the cathode busbarstructure and with the most economical power consumption in the cathodebusbar structure. The cathode busbar structure is attached to at leastone sidewall of a cathode walled enclosure. The cathode walled enclosurecontains a plurality of cathode fingers which extend substantiallyacross the interior of the cathode walled enclosure and the cathodefingers are attached in electrical contact to at least one interiorsidewall of the cathode walled'enclosure. The cathode busbar structureis attached in electrical contact to the exterior sidewall of thecathode walled enclosure adjacent to the attached cathode fingers.

The novel cathode busbar structure makes the most eonomic use ofinvested capital, namely, the amount of highly conductive metal used inthe cathode busbar structure. The configuration and different relativedimensions of the lead-in busbar or busbars and the plurality of busbarstrips significantly reduce the amount of highly conductive metalrequired in the cathode busbar structure as compared to the prior art.The lead-in busbar or busbars and the plurality of busbar strips bymeans of their configuration and different relative dimensions are alsoadapted to carry an electric current and to maintain a substantiallyuniform current density through the cathode busbar structure.

The novel cathode busbar structure can be provided with means forattaching cathode jumper connector means when an adjacent electrolyticcell is jumpered and is removed from the electrical circuit. The cathodebusbar structure can also be provided with cooling means to preventtemperatures in the cathode busbar structure from rising to damaginglevels and to further reduce the amount of highly conductive metalrequired in the cathode busbar structure.

The novel cathode finger structure comprises a conductive metal cathodefinger reinforcing means, lengths of highly conductive metal positionedin the cathode finger structure and foraminous conductive metal meansattached to the cathode finger reinforcing means thereby forming theexterior of the cathode finger structure and providing gas compartmentspace inside the cathode finger structure. The cathode fingerreinforcing means can be provided with a suitable number of pegs, pinsor protrusions. The foraminous conductive metal means can be attached tothese protrusions and thereby provide additional compartment space forgas, formed at the cathode during electrolysis, to be channeled .to acollection chamber.

The highly conductive metal is preferably positioned on the cathodefinger reinforcing means in the cathode finger structure and means isprovided for attaching the highly conductive metal to the cathode fingerreinforcing means. The highly conductive metal is positioned in thecathode finger structure in such a configuration whereby the lengths ofhighly conductive metal are adapted to carry an electric current and tomaintain a substantially uniform current density through the cathodefingers without any significant voltage drop across the cathode fingersand with the most economical power consumption in the cathode fingers.

The novel cathode finger structure thus provides novel cathode fingers.The cathode walled enclosure therein contains a plurality of cathodefingers which extend substantially across the interior of the cathodewalled enclosure and the cathode fingers are attached in electricalcontact to at least one interior sidewall of the cathode walledenclosure. The cathode busbar structure is attached in electricalcontact to the exterior sidewall of the cathode walled enclosureadjacent to the attached cathode fingers.

Means are provided for positioning the opposite ends of the cathodefingers adjacent to the interior sidewall of the cathode walledenclosure which is opposite to the interior sidewall where the cathodefingers are attached.

The novel anode base structure comprises a highly conductive metal meanshaving a substantially flat and level surface and having a decreasedcross-section as it extends away from the anode or intercell connectingbusbar means to form the cross-sectional shape of a substantiallystair-stepped truncated right triangle. The highly conductive metalmeans can be a solid metal plate having a configuration as describedabove or can be two or more highly conductive metal shapes, such asplates, having different relative dimensions and positioned in such aconfiguration whereby their crosssections form the cross-sectional shapeof a substan tially stair-stepped truncated right triangle as describedabove. The highly conductive metal means can be provided with means forattaching the anode blades. The highly conductive metal means hasdifferent relative dimensions and such a configuration whereby it isadapted to carry an electric current and to maintain a substantiallyuniform current density through the anode base structure to electricalcontact points adjacent to the anode blades without any significantvoltage drop across the anode base structure and with the mosteconomical power consumption in the anode base structure.

The novel anode base structure can also comprise suitable structuralsupport means for the highly conductive metal means and any othersuitable structural support means to provide the anode base structurewith sufficient means to support other components of the novelelectrolytic cell of the present invention.

US. Pat. No. 3,432,422 by Currey issued Mar. ll, 1969 to Hooker isherein cited to show a state of the prior art.

The novel anode base structure makes the most economic use of investedcapital, namely, the amount of highly conductive metal used in the anodebase structure. The configuration and different relative dimensions ofthe highly conductive metal means significantly reduce the amount ofhighly conductive metal required in the anode base structure as comparedto the prior art. The highly conductive metal means by means of itsconfiguration and different relative dimensions is also adapted to carryan electric current and to maintain a substantially uniform currentdensity through the anode base structure.

The novel anode base structure can be provided with an anode jumperbusbar for attaching anode jumper connector means when an adjacentelectrolytic cell is jumpered and removed from the circuit. The anodebase structure can also be provided with a cooling means to preventtemperatures in the anode base structure from rising to damaging levelsand to further reduce the amount of highly conductive metal used in theanode base structure.

The novel electrolytic cell of the present invention may be used in manydifferent electrolytic processes. The electrolysis of aqueous alkalimetal chloride solutions is of primary importance and the electrolyticcell of the present invention will be described more particularly withrespect to this type of process. However, such description is notintended to be understood as limiting the usefulness of the electrolyticcell of the present invention or any of the claims covering theelectrolytic cell of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fullydescribed by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a typical electrolytic cell of thepresent invention and shows a typical cathode busbar structure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional side elevation view of the cellof FIG. 1 along plane 22 and shows another view of the cathode busbarstructure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial plan view of the cathode walled enclosureof the cell of FIG. 1 and shows the relative position of the cathodefinger;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional and elevation view of thecathode fingers and the cathode walled enclosure of the cell of FIG. 3along plane 4-4 and shows the relative position of the cathode fingersand anode blades as positioned the end of the cathode walled enclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation view of a cathode fingerand the cathode walled enclosure of the cell of FIG. 3 along plane 5-5and shows the configuration of the highly conductive metal positioned onthe cathode finger reinforcing means;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the cathodefinger reinforcing means of FIG. 5 and shows the visible configurationof the highly conductive metal positioned thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a cathodefinger reinforcing means and shows the configuration of the highlyconductive metal positioned thereon;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the cathode finger reinforcingmeans of FIG. 7 along plane 88 and shows the configuration of the highlyconductive metal positioned thereon and the peg or pin means;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, when viewed together, show typicalembodiments of cathode finger structures;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of anode base structure which can be used in thecell of FIG. 1. The anode blades are not shown for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the anode base structure of FIG. 9along plane l010 and shows the highly conductive metal plateconfiguration detail;

FIG. 11 is a view of FIG. 10 showing the addition of a structural cellbase support means;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an anode base structure which can be used inthe cell of FIG. 1. The anode blades are not shown for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the anode base structure of FIG. 12along plane 1313 and shows the highly conductive metal plateconfiguration detail; and

FIG. 14 is a view of FIG. 13 showing the addition of a structural cellbase support means.

Two different types of metals are used to fabricate most of the variouscomponents or parts which comprise the novel electrolytic cell of thepresent invention. One of these types of metals is a highly conductivemetal. The other type of metal is a conductive metal which has goodstrength and structural properties.

The term highly conductive metal is herein defined as a metal which hasa low resistance to the flow of electric current and which is anexcellent conductor of electric current. Suitable highly conductivemetals include copper, aluminum, silverand the like and alloys thereof.The preferred highly conductive metal is copper or any of its highlyconductive alloys and any mention of copper in this application is to beinterpreted to mean that any other suitable highly conductive metal canbe used in the place of copper or any of its highly conductive alloyswhere it is feasible or practical.

The term conductive metal is herein defined as a metal which has amoderate resistance to the flow of electric current but which is still areasonably good conductor of electric current. The conductive metal, inaddition, has good strength and structural properties. Suitableconductive metals include iron, steel, nickel and the like and alloysthereof such as stainless steel and other chromium steels, nickel steelsand the like. The preferred conductive metal is a relatively inexpensivelow-carbon steel, hereinafter referred to simply as steel, and anymention of steel in this application is to be interpreted to mean thatany other suitable conductive metal can be used in the place of steelwhere itis feasible or practical.

The highly conductive metal and the conductive metal should haveadequate resistance to or have adequate protection from corrosion duringoperation of the electrolytic cell.

Referring now to FIG. 1, electrolytic cell 11 comprises corrosionresistant plastic top 12, cathode walled enclosure 13 and cell base 14.Top 12 is positioned on cathode walled enclosure 13 and is secured tocathode walled enclosure 13 by fastening means (not shown). A seal ismaintained between top 12 and cathode walled enclosure 13 by means of asealing gasket. Cathode walled enclosure 13 is positioned on cell base14 and is secured to cell base 14 by fastening means (not shown). A sealis maintained between cathode walled enclosure 13 and cell base 14 bymeans of an elastomeric sealing pad. Electrolytic cell 11 is positionedon legs 15 which are used as support means for the cell.

Cathode busbar structure 16 is attached in any suitable manner, as bywelding, to steel sidewall 17 of steel cathode walled enclosure 13.Cathode busbar structure 16 comprises copper lead-in busbar 18 and aplurality of copper busbar strips 19, 21 and 22 which have differentrelative dimensions and are positioned in such a configuration whereinlead-in busbar 18 and busbar strips 19, 21 and 22 are adapted to carryan electric current and to maintain a substantially uniform currentdensity through cathode busbar structure 16 to electrical contact pointson sidewall 17 of cathode walled enclosure 13.

Cathode busbar structure 16 can be provided with cooling means 23 whichcomprises steel plates 24, 25, 26 and 30 and steel entrance and exitports 27 and 28 fabricated in any suitable manner, as by welding, toform the said cooling means. Cooling means 23 is attached in anysuitable manner, as by welding, to lead-in busbar 18 and busbar strip19. Coolant, preferably water, is circulated through cooling means 23 bypassage through entrance and exit ports 27 and 28.

Cooling means 23 is provided primarily for use when an electrolytic celladjacent to electrolytic cell 11 is jumpered and is removed from theelectrical circuit. The use of cooling means 23 permits considerablyless copper to be used in cathode busbar structure 16 which results in asubstantial reduction in capital investment costs for cathode copper.While cooling means 23 is provided primarily for use when anelectrolytic cell adjacent to electrolytic cell 11 is jumpered, coolingmeans 23 can be used during routine cell operation either to coolcathode busbar structure 16 during any periodic electric currentoverloads or to continuously cool cathode busbar structure 16, therebypermitting further reductions in the use of copper'in cathode busbarstructure 16 with an accompanying reduction in capital investment costsfor cathode copper.

Lead-in busbar 18 can be provided with steel contact plates 29 and 31which serve as contact means. Steel contact plates 29 and 31 areattached to lead-in busbar 18 in any suitable manner, as by means ofscrews 32. Lead-in busbar 18 and steel contact plates 29 and 31 can beprovided with holes 33 which can serve as means for attaching intercellconnectors carrying electricity from an adjacent cell or leads carryingelectricity from another source to lead-in busbar l8. Lead-in busbar 18and busbar strip 19 can be used as a cathode jumper busbar when providedwith holes 34 which can serve as means for attaching cathode jumperconnectors when an adjacent electrolytic cell is jumpered and is removedfrom the electrical circuit. It is during this jumpering operation thatcooling means 23 can provide its greatest utility by preventing thetemperatures in cathode busbar structure 16 from rising to levelswhereby damage to cathode busbar structure 16 or other components ofelectrolytic cell 11 occurs.

Referring now to FIG. 2, cathode busbar structure 16 is shown in anotherview and the description of this figure further describes cathode busbarstructure 16 including the configuration and the different relativedimensions of the components or parts comprising cathode busbarstructure 16 which were described in FIG. 1.

Cathode busbar structure 16 comprises copper leadin busbar l8 and aplurality of copper busbar strips 19, 21 and 22. Busbar strips 19, 21and 22 are attached to steel sidewall 17 of steel cathode walledenclosure 13 in any suitable manner, as by means of copper to steelwelds 35, 37, 38 and 41, to one another in any suitable manner, as bymeans of copper to copper welds 36 and 39. The weld metal is preferablyof the same metal as the busbar strips, that is, copper. This means ofattaching the busbar strips to sidewall 17 greatly decreases therequired weld area and forms a lower electrical contact resistance tosidewall 17 or the cathode steel. Lead-in busbar 18 is attached tobusbar strip 19 in any suitable manner, as by means of copper to copperweld 42, and lead-in busbar 18 is attached to sidewall 17 in anysuitable manner, as by means of steel blocks 43'. Lead-in busbar 18 isattached to steel blocks 43 in any suitable manner, as by a combinationof screws (not shown), and steel blocks 43 are attached to sidewall 17of cathode walled enclosure 13 in any suitable manner, as by means ofsteel to steel welds 40. Steel contact plates 29 and 31 are attached tolead-in busbar 18 in any suitable manner, as by means of screws 32.

The above means of attachment provides a cathode busbar structurewherein lead-in busbar 18 and the plurality of busbar strips 19, 21 and22 are attached and electrically interconnected by means of welds 36,37, 38, 39 and 42 and cathode busbar structure 16 is attached inelectrical contact to sidewall 17 of cathode walled enclosure 13 bymeans of welds 35, 37, 38, 40 and 41.

Cathode fingers 44 are attached in electrical contact to sidewall 17 inany suitable manner, as by welding cathode finger reinforcing means 45to sidewall 17. A typical cathode finger 44 is partially shown. Cathodefinger 44 comprises steel cathode finger reinforcing means 45 andperforated steel plates 46 which are attached in any suitable manner, asby welding. Perforated steel plates 47 are attached in any suitablemanner, as by welding, to perforated steel plates 46 and to sidewall 17,thereby forming peripheral chamber 48.

The height of the plurality of the busbar strips at their points ofattachment ot sidewall 17 is usually substantially equal to the heightof cathode finger reinforcing means 45 at their points of attachment tosidewall 17. This height can be further defined as being of more thanabout one-half of the height of cathode walled enclosure 13. Thethicknesses of busbar strips 21 and 22 are preferably less than those oflead-in busbar 18 and busbar strip 19.

The cathode finger reinforcing means are preferably corrugatedstructures fabricated from conductive steel sheet, however, othersuitable reinforcing means such as conductive metal bars, plates,reinforced sheets and the like can also be used. The cathode fingerreinforcing means serve the dual functions of first, supporting andreinforcing the perforated steel plates, and second, carrying electriccurrent to all sections of the perforated steel plates with a minimumelectrical resistance through the cathode finger reinforcing means.

The foraminous conductive metal means used to form the cathode fingersand the peripheral chamber are preferably perforated steel plates butcan be steel screens. Other suitable foraminous conductive metal meanswhich can be used to form the cathode fingers and the peripheral chamberinclude conductive metal grids, meshes, screens, wire cloths or thelike.

Cathode walled enclosure 13 is positioned on cell base 14 and is securedto cell base 14 by fastening means (not shown). Cell base 14 compriseselastomeric sealing pad 49 and conductive anode base 51, and if needed,structural support means 52. A sea] is maintained between cathode walledenclosure 13 and cell base 14 by means of elastomeric sealing pad 49.

In a typical circuit of electrolytic cells, electric current is carriedthrough intercell connectors (not shown) from lead-in busbar 18 ofcathode busbar structure 16. Electric current is carried and asubstantially uniform current density is maintained through cathodebusbar structure 16 without any significant voltage drop across cathodebusbar structure 16 and with the most economical power consumption incathode busbar structure 16. Electric current is carried and asubstantially uniform current density is maintained through cathodebusbar structure 16 by means of the configuration and the differentrelative dimensions of lead-in busbar 18 and busbar strips 19, 21 and22. Electric current is thus carried through cathode busbar structure 16from electrical contact points on sidewall 17 of cathode walledenclosure 13 where it is distributed from cathode fingers 44 and, underthese conditions, the electric current is readily carried from allsections of perforated steel plates 46 with a minimum electricalresistance through cathode finger reinforcing means 45.

The novel cathode busbar structure makes the most economic use ofinvested capital, namely, the amount of copper or other suitable highlyconductive metal used in the cathode busbar structure. The configurationand different relative dimensions of the lead-in busbar or busbars andthe plurality of busbar strips significantly reduce the amount of copperor other suitable highly conductive metal required in the cathode busbarstructure as compared to the prior art. The leadin busbar or busbars andthe plurality of busbar strips by means of their configuration anddifferent relative dimensions are also adapted to carry an electriccurrent and to maintain a substantially uniform current density throughthe cathode busbar structure.

The configuration and dimensions of the lead-in busbar or busbars andthe plurality of busbar strips can vary depending on the designedcurrent capacity of the electrolytic cell and also can vary depending ona number of factors such as the current density, the conductivity of themetal used, the amount of weld area, the fabrication costs and the like.

The novel cathode busbar structure provides im proved electricalconductivity to the immediate area of the cathode fingers, by providinga minimum or no significant voltage drop across the cathode busbarstructure along with a substantial reduction in copper or other suitablehighly conductive metal as compared to the prior art.

The novel cathode busbar structure enables the electrolytic cell of thepresent invention to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragmcell at high current capacities of about 150,000 amperes and upward toabout 200,000 amperes while maintaining high operating efficiencies.These high current capacities provide for high production capacitieswhich result in high production rates for given cell room floor areasand reduce capital investment and operating costs. In addition to beingcapable of operation at high amperages, the electrolytic cell of thepresent invention can also efficiently operate at lower amperages, suchas about 55,000 or 60,000 amperes, using the novel cathode busbarstructure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, cathode fingers 44 are enclosed by steelsidewalls 17, 54, 55 and 56 of steel cathode walled enclosure 13. Theplurality of cathode fingers 44 can be any number from about 10 to about50 or more, preferably the number is about to about 40 and morepreferably the number is about to about 30. The anode blades (not shown)are positioned between cathode fingers 44. Perforated steel plates 46are attached in any suitable manner, as by welding, to steel cathodefinger reinforcing means 45. Steel plates 53 are also attached in anysuitable manner, as by welding, to cathode finger reinforcing means 45.Cathode fingers 44 are attached to steel sidewall 17 in any suitablemanner, as by welding steel plates 53 and cathode finger reinforcingmeans 45 to sidewall 17. Perforated steel plates 47 are attached tosidewalls 17, 54, 55 and 56 and to perforated steel plates 46 in anysuitable manner, as by welding. Perforated steel plates 47 surround theinner sidewalls of cathode walled enclosure 13 and form peripheralchamber 48 which serves as a collection chamber for hydrogen gas formedat the cathode during electrolysis. Hydrogen gas formed at the cathodeduring electrolysis is channeled across cathode fingers 44 to peripheralchamber 48 from whence it proceeds to gas withdrawal means 57.

Referring now to FIG. 4, perforated steel plates 46 are attached in anysuitable manner, as by welding, to steel cathode finger reinforcingmeans 45. Steel plates 53 are attached in any suitable manner, as bywelding, to cathode finger reinforcing means 45. Steel support means 58are attached in any suitable manner, as by welding, to cathode fingerreinforcing means 45 and to sidewall 56 of steel cathode walledenclosure 13. Perforated steel plates 47 are attached in any suitablemanner, as by welding, to perforated steel plates 46 and to sidewalls 17and 56 thereby forming peripheral chamber 48. Because of the largerdimensions of this figure, peripheral chamber 48 is more clearly shown.Cathode finger reinforcing means 45 can be provided with protrusions 59and perforated steel plates 46 can be attached in any suitable manner,as by welding, to protrusions 59 thereby providing additionalcompartment space for hydrogen gas, formed at the cathode duringelectrolysis, to be channeled to peripheral chamber 48.

Steel tips 61 and steel plates 53 are attached in any suitable manner,as by welding, to copper rods 62. Steel tips 61 and steel plates 53 areattached in any suitable manner, as by welding, to cathode fingerreinforcing means 45 thereby positioning copper rods 62 on cathodefinger reinforcing means 45.

Cathode finger reinforcing means 45 are preferably corrugated structuresfabricated from sheet steel, however, other suitable conductive metalreinforcing means such as bars, plates, reinforced sheets and the likecan also be used. Cathode finger reinforcing means 45 serve the dualfunctions of first, supporting and reinforcing perforated steel plates46, and second, carrying electric current to all sections of perforatedsteel plates 46 with a minimum electrical resistance through cathodefinger reinforcing means 45.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, cathode walled enclosure 13 ispositioned on cell base 14 and is secured to cell base 14 by fasteningmeans (not shown). Cell base 14 comprises conductive anode base 51 and,if needed, suitable structural support means 52. A seal is maintainedbetween cathode walled enclosure 13and cell base 14 by means ofelastomeric sealing pad 49.

Anode blades 72 are preferably metallic anode blades and are attached inelectrical contact to conductive anode base 51 in any suitable manner,as by means of nuts and/or bolts, secured projections, studs, welding orthe like. Cathode fingers 44 are spaced adjacent to each other at such adistance whereby anode blades 72 are centered between adjacent cathodefingers 44 and the desired alignment distance between anode blades 72and cathode fingers 44 is provided.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, electrolytic cell 11 is particularlyuseful for the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions ingeneral, including not only sodium chloride, but also potassiumchloride, lithium chloride, rubidium chloride and cesium chloride. Whenelectrolytic cell 11 is used to electrolyze such solutions, electrolyticcell 11 is provided with diaphragm 71 which serves to form separateanolyte and catholyte compartments so that chlorine is formed at theanode and caustic and hydrogen are formed at the cathode. Diaphragm 71comprises a fluid-permeable and halogen-resistant material which coversperforated steel plates 46 forming cathode fingers 44 and perforatedsteel plates 47 forming peripheral chamber 48. Preferably, diaphragm 71is asbestos fiber deposited in place on the outer surfaces of perforatedsteel plates 46 and 47. Electrolytic cell 11 is adapted to permit theuse of many types of diaphragms, including asbestos fabric, asbestospaper, asbestos sheet and other suitable materials known to thoseskilled in the art.

Perforated steel plates 46 forming cathode fingers 44 and perforatedsteel plates 47 forming peripheral chamber 48 are foraminous conductivemetal means. Other suitable foraminous conductive metal means which canbe used to form the cathode fingers and the peripheral chamber includeconductive metal grids, meshes, screens, wire cloths or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, some of the details described in theforegoing figures are more clearly shown in these figures. Cathodebusbar structure 16 is attached to outer sidewall 17 of cathode walledenclosure 13 and the ends of cathode fingers 44 adjacent thereto areattached to inner sidewall 17 of cathode walled enclosure 13 in themanner or manners described in the foregoing figures.

The other ends of cathode fingers 44 are preferably positioned asfollows. Posterior ends 63 of steel cathode finger reinforcing means 45are positioned adjacent to steel sidewall 55 of steel cathode walledenclosure 13 by means of steel support members 64, 65, 66 and 67.Support members 64 and 65 are attached in any suitable manner, as bywelding, to cathode finger reinforcing means 45 and rest upon supportmembers 66 and 67 which are attached in any suitable manner, as bywelding, to sidewall 55. Support members 64 and 65 can be attached orfastened to support members 66 and 67, respectively, however, it ispreferred that support members 64 and 65 not be attached or fastened sothat both linear and horizontal thermal expansion and- /or contractioncan be provided for cathode fingers 44.

Perforated steel plates 47 are attached in any suitable manner, as bywelding, to sidewalls 17, 54, 55 and 56, respectively, and to adjacentperforated steel plates 46 thereby forming peripheral chamber 48.

Copper rods 62 are preferably of different lengths and are preferablypositioned on cathode finger reinforcing means 45 as shown in FIG. 5.Steel tips 61 are attached in any suitable manner, as by welding, toends 68 of copper rods 62 and steel plate 53 is attached in any suitablemanner, as by welding, to linear ends 73 of copper rods 62 therebyforming cathode copper assembly 69. Cathode copper assembly 69 isattached to cathode finger reinforcing means 45 in any suitable manner,as by welding steel tips 61 and steel plate 53 to steel cathode fingerreinforcing means 45. Copper rods 62 can thus be positioned on cathodefinger reinforcing means 45. Copper rods 62 are of sufficient length andpreferably are of different lengths to maintain substantially uniformcurrent density through cathode finger 44. Copper rods 62 do notnecessarily have to be round or uniform in cross-section and can besquare, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal or the like in cross-sectionand can vary in cross-section along their lengths. It is important,however, that copper rods62 be of sufficient length and cross-section tocarry an electric current and to maintain a substantially uniformcurrent density through cathode fingers 44 without any significantvoltage drop across cathode fingers 44 and with the most economicalpower consumption in cathode fingers 44.

The use of a suitable highly conductive metal, such as copper, incathode fingers 44 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 is considered tobe a novel use of a suitable highly conductive metal in the cathodefingers. The use of copper in the cathode fingers is disclosed in US.Pat. Nos. 3,464,912 by Emery et al. issued Sept. 2, 1969 to Hooker and3,493,487 by Ruthel et al. issued Feb. 3, 1970 to Hooker, however, thesedisclosed uses of copper in the cathode fingers do not disclose, muchless teach, the use of copper in the cathode fingers of an electrolyticcell in the manner as taught herein.

The preferred method of positioning copper rods 62 on cathode fingerreinforcing means 45 and in cathode fingers 44 is also novel. Steel tips61 are welded to ends 68 of copper rods 62 and steel plate 53 is weldedto linear ends 73 of copper rods 62 thereby forming cathode copperassembly 69. Any warpage from the welding of steel tips 61 and steelplate 53 to copper rods 62 is corrected or compensated for beforecathode copper assembly 69 is attached to cathode finger reinforcingmeans 45. Cathode copper assembly 69 is attached to cathode fingerreinforcing means 45 by welding steel tips 61 and steel plate 53 tosteel cathode finger reinforcing means 45. Copper rods 62 are thuspositioned on cathode finger reinforcing means 45 and in cathode fingers44. In this manner, all the copper to steel welds are made prior to thewelding of cathode copper assembly 69 to cathode finger reinforcingmeans 45 and any metal warpage from welding is substantially eliminated.

The novel cathode fingers enable the electrolytic cell of the presentinvention to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell athigh current capacities of about 150,000 amperes and upward to about200,000 amperes while maintaining high operating efficiencies. Thesehigh current capacities provide for high production capacities whichresult in high production rates for given cell room floor areas andreduce capital investment and operating costs. In addition to beingcapable of operation at high amperages, the electrolytic cell of thepresent invention can also efficiently operate at lower amperages, suchas about 55,000 or 60,000 amperes, using the novel cathode fingers.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the opposite side of cathode finger reinforcingmeans 45 shown in FIG. 5 is shown and the visible configuration ofcopper rods 62 positioned thereon is also shown. Cathode copper assembly69 which comprises copper rods 62, steel plate 53 and steel tips 61 isshown positioned on cathode finger reinforcing means 45. Cathode fingerreinforcing means 45 can be provided with protrusions 59 and perforatedsteel plates 46 can be attached in any suitable manner, as by welding,to protrusions 59 thereby providing additional compartment space forhydrogen gas, formed at the cathode during electrolysis, to be channeledto peripheral chamber 48. Protrusions 59 are positioned at spacedintervals on cathode finger reinforcing means 45 and only arepresentative portion are shown in this figure.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of a cathode fingerreinforcing means is shown and a configuration of copperrods positionedthereon is also shown. In this embodiment, cathode finger reinforcingmeans 111 comprises steel plate 112 having steel peg or pin means 113extending therefrom. Cathode copper assembly 69 which comprises copperrods 62, steel plate 53 and steel tips 61 is shown positioned on steelplate 112 of cathode finger reinforcing means 111 with a portion ofsteel plate 112 removed to accommodate steel plate 53. Cathode copperassembly 69 is attached to cathode finger reinforcing means 111 in anysuitable manner, as by welding steel plate 53 and steel tips 61 to steelplate 112. Perforated steel plates 46 can be attached in any suitablemanner, as by welding, to steel peg means 113 thereby providingcompartment space for hydrogen gas, formed at the cathode duringelectrolysis, to be channeled to peripheral chamber 48.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, anode base structure 74 comprisescopper plate 75 and copper plate 76 and can also comprise steel plates77, 78, 79, 81 and 98 or any other suitable structural means. Copperplates 75 and 76 and steel plates 77, 78, 79 and 81 and 98 are connectedin any suitable manner, as by bolting or welding, to provide a unitarystructure having suitable structural support means. Anode base structure74 can be protected from corrosion by elastomeric sealing pad 49. Copperplates 75 and 76 can be provided with anode blade attachment means 82which can be used to attach anode blades 72 to copper plates 75 and 76.

Anode blades 72 can be fabricated from any suitable electricallyconductive material which will resist the corrosive attack of thevarious cell reactants and products with which they may come in contact.Anode blades 72 are preferably metallic anode blades. Typically, anodeblades 72 can be fabricated from a socalled valve metal, such astitanium, tantalum or niobium as well as alloys of these in which thevalve metal constitutes at least about 90 percent of the alloy. Thesurface of the valve metal may be made active by means of a coating ofone or more noble metals, noble metal oxides, or mixtures of suchoxides, either alone or with oxides of the valve metal. The noble metalswhich may be used include ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, irridium, andplatinum. Particularly preferred metal anodes are those formed oftitanium and having a mixed titanium oxide and ruthenium oxide coatingon the surface, as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,498.Additionally, the valve metal substrate may be clad on a moreelectrically conductive metal core, such as aluminum, steel, copper, orthe like.

Anode blades 72 can be attached to copper plates 75 and 76 in anysuitable manner as by means of nuts and- /or bolts, secured projections,studs, welding or the like. A typical method of attaching anode blades72 to copper plates 75 and 76 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,483.

Anode busbar 97 can be provided by attaching steel contact plates 89 and91 to copper plate 75 using attachment means 85 and providing the saidsteel and copper plates with holes 83 which can serve as means forattaching intercell connectors carrying electricity from an adjacentcell or leads carrying electricity from another source to anode busbar97.

FIG. shows that the configuration of the cross sections of copper plates75 and 76 form the crosssectional shape of a substantially stair-steppedtruncated right triangle. Copper plates 75 and 76 have differentrelative dimensions and are positioned in such a configuration whereincopper plates 75 and 76 are adapted to carry an electric current and tomaintain a substantially uniform current density through anode basestructure 74 to electrical contact points adjacent to anode blades 72without any significant voltage drop across anode base structure 74 andwith the most economical power consumption in anode base structure 74.Substantially uniform current density is achieved by the configurationof the different cross-sections of copper plates 75 and 76 which formthe cross-sectional shape of a substantially stair-stepped truncatedright triangle where electric current is removed from the copper platesin a substantially uniform manner as the cross-section of the copperplates is decreased.

In a typical circuit of electrolytic cell, electric current is carriedthrough intercell connectors (not shown) to anode busbar 97 of anodebase structure 74. Electric current is then carried and a substantiallyuniform current density is maintained through anode base structure 74without any significant voltage drop across anode base structure 74 andwith the most economical power consumption in anode base structure 74.Electric current is carried and a substantially uniform current densityis maintained through anode base structure 74 by means of theconfiguration and the different relative dimensions of copper plates 75and 76. Electric current is thus carried through anode base structure 74to electrical contact points where it is distributed to anode blades 72and, under these conditions, the electric current is readily carried toall sections of anode blades 72.

The novel anode base structure makes the most economic use of investedcapital, namely, the amount of copper or other suitable highlyconductive metal used in the anode base structure. The configuration anddifferent relative dimensions of the copper plates significantly reducethe amount of copper or other suitable highly conductive metal requiredin the anode base structure as compared to the prior art. The copperplates by means oftheir configuration and different relative dimensionsare also adapted to carry an electric current and to maintain asubstantially uniform current density through the anode base structure.

The configuration and dimensions of the copper plates can vary dependingon the designed current capacity of the electrolytic cell and also canvary depending on a number of factors such as the current density, theconductivity of the metal used, the amount of weld area, the fabricationcosts and the like.

The novel anode base structure provides improved electrical conductivityto the anode blades by providing a minimum or no significant voltagedrop across the anode base structure along with a substantial reductionin copper or other suitable highly conductive metal as compared to theprior art.

The novel anode base structure enables the electrolytic cell of thepresent invention to be designed to operate as a chlor-alkali diaphragmcell at high current capacities of about 150,000 amperes and upward toabout 200,000 amperes while maintaining high operating efficiencies.These high current capacities provide for high production capacitieswhich result in high production rates for given cell room floor areasand reduce capital investment and operating costs. In addition to beingcapable of operation at high amperages, the electrolytic cell of thepresent invention can also efficiently operate at lower amperages, suchas about 55,000 or 60,000 amperes, using the novel anode base structure.

Anode base structure 74 can be provided with cooling means 92. Thecoolant, preferably water, is circulated through cooling means 92 byentry through entrance port 93 and by passage through coolant conveyingmeans 95. After entry through entrance port 93, the coolant is passedalong steel plate 87 into and through cooling device 96 and then againalong steel plate 87. The coolant is then passed along steel plate 88and then along and around steel plate 89. The coolant is then passedalong the opposite side of steel plate 89 and then along the oppositeside of steel plate 88. The coolant is then passed along the oppositeside of steel plate 87 and is discharged through exit port 94. Coolantconveying means can be any suitable coolant conveying means such ascopper tubing connecting cooling device 96 and coolant conveyingchannels positioned along the sides and ends of steel contact plates 87,88 and 89. Cooling means 92 as shown in this figure and described hereinis merely a typical cooling means and cooling means 92 should not belimited to the design as shown in this figure and described herein.

The use of cooling system 92 permits considerably less copper to be usedin anode base structure 74 which results in a substantial reduction incapital investment costs for anode copper. While cooling system 92 isprovided primarily for use when an adjacent electrolytic cell isjumpered, cooling system 92 can be used during

1. AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL COMPRISING A CATHODE BUSBAR STRUCTURE, CATHODEFINGERS HAVING A CATHODE FINGER STRUCTURE, AND AN ANODE BASE STRUCTUREWHEREIN: I. SAID CATHODE BUSBAR STRUCTURE COMPRISES AT LEAST ONE LEAD-INBUSBAR AND PLURALITY OF BUSBAR STRIPS WHICH HAVE DIFFERENT RELATIVEDIMENSIONS, SAID LEAD-IN BUSBAR AND SAID PLURALITY OF BUSBAR STRIPS AREFABRICATED FROM A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE METAL AND ARE POSITIONED IN SUCH ACONFIGURATION WHEREIN THE LEAD-IN BUSBAR AND THE PLURALITY OF BUSBARSTRIPS ARE ADAPTED TO CARRY AN ELECTRIC CURRENT AND TO MAINTAIN ASUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM CURRENT DENSITY THROUGH THE CATHODE BUSBARSTRUCTURE FROM ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS ADJACENT TO THE CATHODE FINGERSWITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT VOLTAGE DROP ACROSS THE CATHODE BUSBAR STRUCTUREAND WITH THE MOST ECONOMICAL POWER CONSUMPTION IN THE CATHODE BUSBARSTRUCTURE, SAID CATHODE BUSBAR STRUCTURE IS ATTACHED IN ELECTRICALCONTACT TO AT LEAST ONE SIDEWALL OF A CATHODE WALLED ENCLOSUREFABRICATED FROM A CONDUCTIVE METAL AND HAVING SIDEWALLS, SAID CATHODEWALLED ENCLOSURE THEREIN CONTAINS A PLURALITY OF CATHODE FINGERS; II.SAID CATHODE FINGERS HAVING A CATHODE FINGER STRUCTURE WHICH COMPRISES ACONDUCTIVE METAL CATHODE FINGER REINFORCING MEANS, LENGTHS OF HIGHLYCONDUCTIVE METAL POSITIONED IN THE CATHODE FINGER STRUCTURE, ANDFORAMINOUS CONDUCTIVE METAL MEANS ATTACHED TO THE CATHODE FINGERREINFORCING MEANS THEREBY FORMING THE EXTERIOR OF THE CATHODE FINGERSTRUCTURE AND PROVIDING GAS COMPARTMENT SPACE INSIDE THE CATHODE FINGERSTRUCTURE, SAID LENGTHS OF HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE METAL ARE POSITIONED IN THECATHODE FINGER STRUCTURE IN SUCH A CONFIGURATION WHEREBY THE LENGTHS OFHIGHLY CONDUCTIVE METAL ARE ADAPTED TO CARRY AN ELECTRIC CURRENT AND TOMAINTAIN A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM CURRENT DENSITY THROUGH THE CATHODEFINGERS WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT VOLTAGE DROP ACROSS THE CATHODE FINGERSAND WITH THE MOST ECONOMICAL POWER CONSUMPTION IN THE CATHODE FINGERS,SAID CATHODE FINGER STRUCTURE THUS PROVIDES A STRUCTURE FOR THE CATHODEFINGERS, SAID CATHODE WALLED ENCLOSURE THEREIN CONTAINS A PLURALITY OFCATHODE FINGERS WHICH EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY ACROSS THE INTERIOR OF THECATHODE WALLED ENCLOSURE AND THE CATHODE FINGERS ARE ATTACHED INELECTRICAL CONTACT TO AT LEAST ONE INTERIOR SIDEWALL OF THE CATHODEWALLED ENCLOSURE, SAID CATHODE BUSBAR STRUCTURE IS ATTACHED INELECTRICAL CONTACT TO THE EXTERIOR SIDEWALL OF THE CATHODE WALLEDENCLOSURE ON THE SIDEWALL ADJACENT TO THE ATTACHED CATHODE FINGERS; III.SAID ANODE BASE STRUCTURE COMPRISES A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE METAL MEANSHAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT AND LEVEL SURFACE AND HAVING A DECREASEDCROSS-SECTION AS IT EXTENDS AWAY FROM THE ANODE OR INTERCELL CONNECTINGBUSBAR MEANS TO FORM THE CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE OF A SUBSTANTIALLYSTAIRSTEPPED TRUNCATED RIGHT TRIANGLE, SAID HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE METALMEANS HAS SUCH A CONFIGURATION AND DIFFERENT RELATIVE DIMENSIONS WHEREBYIT IS ADAPTED TO CARRY AN ELECTRIC CURRENT AND TO MAINTAIN ASUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM CURRENT DENSITY THROUGH THE ANODE BASE STRUCTURETO ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS ADJACENT TO THE ANODE BLADES WITHOUT ANYSIGNIFICANT VOLTAGE DROP ACROSS THE ANODE BASE STRUCTURE AND WITH THEMOST ECONOMICAL POWER CONSUMPTION IN THE ANODE BASE STRUCTURE.
 2. Theelectrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode busbar structure isprovided with means for attaching cathode jumper connector means when anadjacent electrolytic cell is jumpered and is removed from theelectrical circuit.
 3. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 wherein thecathode busbar structure is provided with a cooling means to preventtemperatures in the cathode busbar structure from rising to levelswhereby damage to the cathode busbar structure or other components ofthe electrolytic cell occurs.
 4. The cathode busbar structure of claim 1wherein the lead-in busbar and the plurality of busbar strips arefabricated from copper.
 5. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 wheRein thecathode walled enclosure contains about 10 to about 50 cathode fingers.6. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 wherein the cathode walled enclosureis fabricated from steel.
 7. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 whereinthe height of the plurality of the busbar strips of said cathode busbarstructure at their points of attachment to the sidewall of the cathodewalled enclosure is usually substantially the same as the height of thecathode finger reinforcing means of the cathode fingers at their pointsof attachment to the sidewall of the cathode walled enclosure.
 8. Thecathode finger structure of claim 1 wherein the conductive metal cathodefinger reinforcing means comprises a corrugated conductive metalstructure.
 9. The cathode finger structure of claim 8 wherein thecorrugated conductive metal structure has foraminous conductive metalmeans attached to the outer surfaces of its protruding ridges therebyforming said exterior and providing compartment space for gas, formed atthe cathode during electrolysis, to be channeled to a collectionchamber.
 10. The cathode finger reinforcing means of claim 9 wherein thecorrugated conductive metal structure is provided with protrusions onthe outer surfaces of its protruding ridges to which foraminousconductive metal means is attached to provide additional compartmentspace for gas, formed at the cathode during electrolysis, to bechanneled to a collection chamber.
 11. The cathode finger structure ofclaim 10 wherein said foraminous conductive metal means is perforatedmetal plate.
 12. The cathode finger structure of claim 10 wherein theforaminous conductive metal means is screen.
 13. The cathode fingerstructure of claim 1 wherein the conductive metal cathode fingerreinforcing means comprises a conductive metal plate, said plate havingpeg or pin means attached to said plate and foraminous conductive metalmeans attached to said peg or pin means thereby forming said exteriorand providing compartment space for gas, formed at the cathode duringelectrolysis, to be channeled to a collection chamber.
 14. The cathodefinger structure of claim 13 wherein the foraminous conductive metalmeans is perforated metal plate.
 15. The cathode finger structure ofclaim 13 wherein the foraminous conductive metal means is screen. 16.The cathode finger structure of claim 1 wherein the lengths of highlyconductive metal are positioned on the cathode finger reinforcing meansin the cathode finger structure and the highly conductive metal isattached to the cathode finger reinforcing means.
 17. The cathode fingerstructure of claim 1 wherein the lengths of highly conductive metal areof different lengths and are positioned on the cathode fingerreinforcing means in the cathode finger structure and the highlyconductive metal is attached to the cathode finger reinforcing means.18. The cathode finger structure of claim 1 wherein the lengths ofhighly conductive metal have different cross-sections and are positionedon the cathode finger reinforcing means in the cathode finger structureand the highly conductive metal is attached to the cathode fingerreinforcing means.
 19. The cathode finger structure of claim 1 whereinthe lengths of highly conductive metal have different lengths anddifferent cross-sections and are positioned on the cathode fingerreinforcing means in the cathode finger structure and the highlyconductive metal is attached to the cathode finger reinforcing means.20. The novel cathode finger structure of claim 1 wherein the highlyconductive metal is copper.
 21. The cathode fingers of claim 1 whereinmeans are provided for positioning the cathode fingers to the sidewallopposite to that sidewall to which the fingers are attached.
 22. Theanode base structure of claim 1 wherein the highly conductive metalmeans is provided with means for attaching the anode blades.
 23. Theanode base structure of claim 1 wherein said anode base structurecomprises structural suPport means for the highly conductive metalmeans.
 24. The anode base structure of claim 23 wherein said supportmeans for the highly conductive metal means comprises a configuration ofmetal shapes which form a unitary structure with said highly conductivemetal means.
 25. The anode base structure of claim 24 wherein the metalshapes comprise steel plates.
 26. The anode base structure of claim 1wherein said anode base structure is provided with sufficient means tosupport other components of the electrolytic cell.
 27. The anode basestructure of claim 26 wherein the means to support other components ofthe electrolytic cell comprise structural metallic support means. 28.The anode base structure of claim 26 wherein the means to support othercomponents of the electrolytic cell comprise structural non-metallicsupport means.
 29. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 wherein the anodebase structure is provided with a jumper busbar for attaching anodeconnector means when an adjacent electrolytic cell is jumpered andremoved from the electrical circuit.
 30. The anode base structure ofclaim 1 wherein the anode base structure is provided with a coolingmeans to prevent temperatures in the anode busbar structure from risingto levels whereby damage to the anode busbar structure or othercomponents of the electrolytic cell occur.
 31. The anode base structureof claim 1 wherein said highly conductive metal means is copper.
 32. Thecathode finger structure of claim 1 wherein the conductive metal cathodefinger reinforcing means and the foraminous conductive metal means arefabricated from steel.
 33. The electrolytic cell of claim 1 wherein saidcell has design means to operate at a current capacity of about 150,000to about 200,000 amperes.